Question

Which of the following ecological pyramids is generally inverted?

• A. Pyramid of biomass in a sea
• B. Pyramid of numbers in grassland
• C. Pyramid of energy
• D. Pyramid of biomass in a forest

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Pyramid of biomass in a sea

The correct option is A.

The explanation for the correct option:

1. The biomass pyramid depicts the relationship between organisms in different trophic levels based on their biomass.
2. So, if the producers in a given ecosystem have a lot of biomass, the biomass pyramid will be upright, but if they have a lot of biomass, the biomass pyramid will be inverted.
3. As a result, the biomass pyramid in an aquatic ecosystem is usually inverted.

The explanation for the incorrect options:

Option B:

1. The number of organisms at each trophic level is represented as a pyramid of numbers.
2. The producers, on average, are the most numerous, followed by a gradual drop in the number of consumers.
3. As a result, it is upright. When a tree is a producer and supports a large number of organisms, an inverted pyramid of numbers appears.

Option C:

The energy flow in the environment is depicted by a pyramid of energy. Because energy is lost in the form of heat at each trophic level, it is always erect.

Option D:

1. In oceans and aquatic environments, an inverted pyramid of biomass can be visible, with producers being phytoplanktons.
2. Their population is considerable, but their biomass is lower than that of zooplanktons.
3. The biomass of producers in the desert and rainforest is far more than that of consumers, resulting in an upright biomass pyramid.

Final answer: The biomass pyramid depicts the relationship between organisms at different trophic levels based on their biomass.